A new report shows that older buyers are leading the way in auto industry recovery, with dealership experience the key factor in purchasing vehicles. Automotive research firm Foresight Research has released its 2012 Dealership Experience Strategy Report, noting a need for dealerships to refocus marketing to more seasoned buyers, who more often choose a dealership […] [Read More]

KAR Auction Services kicked off the year by notching nearly a 5-percent uptick in revenue during the first quarter and increasing its adjusted EBITDA by approximately 6 percent, the company said late Monday afternoon. KAR pulled in adjusted EBITDA of $134.9 million in the first quarter that ended March 31, compared to $127.3 million in […] [Read More]

As the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index edged slightly lower in April, economist Tom Webb cautioned wholesale observers and dealers to watch that some individual segment movements are “misleading.” Supporting Webb’s point was the 0.8-percent softening of compact car prices last month. Meanwhile, Manheim discovered pickup prices rose 3.2 percent. “Unusual year-ago environment makes some […] [Read More]

As a result of an alleged attempt to scam $1.5 million out of a credit union, one used-car dealer received a prison sentence on Monday.  Jady Brooks was sentenced in federal court to serve seven years in prison after “running a sophisticated scheme to defraud a credit union,” reported Tim McGlone of The Virginian-Pilot. But […] [Read More]

A fuse issue is prompting Chrysler Group to conduct a voluntary safety recall of 2011 and 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans. The automaker indicated the recall covers approximately 119,072 vehicles in the U.S. as well as another 8,274 units in Canada. Chrysler explained a plastic insert surrounding a fuse may be subject to […] [Read More]

CAR-Research XRM has announced a new system to help dealers maximize its customer relationship management system. The new program holds CAR-Research XRM’s Client Relationship Specialists accountable to new benchmark reports designed to ensure that their dealer clients are using the CRM to capture more sales and increase profitability, the company said. [Read More]

There is now another program on the market available to dealer groups searching for ways to manage their inventory. RedBumber released Monday a complete mobile suite of inventory analytic and management tools for dealer groups, which includes enterprise reporting, group trading, group appraisal optimization, group buying tools and mobile group tools, the company shared. [Read More]

Manheim’s flagship facility recently held a community program designed to foster road safety among teenagers by offering defensive driving courses targeted toward 15- to 19-year-olds. Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction hosted the Lion’s Club Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe defensive driving courses, where teens were taught techniques to maintain control of their vehicles in hazardous […] [Read More]

Auto Remarketing Conferences recently announced that the Used Car Week Conferences — the National Remarketing Conference, the CPO Forum and the newly expanded Re3 Conference — will be held Nov. 12-16 at The Phoenician resort. Used Car Week is a weeklong series of three dynamic conferences for the used-vehicle industry, all in one location during […] [Read More]

When the new-car market has gotten tough, Hendrick Automotive Group dealers have pushed harder on the used-car side of their operations. And that, director of variable operations Chris Little says, has helped the dealership group realize approximately a 10-percent gain in used-vehicle sales year-to-date. With used sales soaring in recent years amid a challenging new-car […] [Read More]